How To Treat A MRSA Skin Infection

Bacterial skin infections have always been common occurrences; however, with the emergence of aggressive bacteria such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, also known MRSA, these infections have become more challenging to treat. A MRSA skin infection typically begins when a break in the skin occurs such as with a harmless scratch or superficial cut. This allows the MRSA bacteria to penetrate beneath the skin causing a localized infection called a boil. Without proper treatment a MRSA skin infection can extend to involve deeper muscle tissue or the MRSA bacteria can enter the blood circulation and spread to other parts of the body. How do you most effectively  treat a MRSA skin infection?

The MRSA skin infection creates an inflamed boil that needs to be surgically drained after anesthetized locally. Only after evacuating the pus and dead tissue can the infection be successfully treated.

Obtain a wound culture from the skin infection site to confirm the presence of MRSA bacteria as well as to insure that the infection will respond to the prescribed oral antibiotic medication(s).

Keep the MRSA skin infection site clean. Follow your doctor's wound care instructions. Generally the infection site should be gently cleaned once or twice a day with a mixture of sterile water and hydrogen peroxide. Do not aggressively scrub or traumatize the area.

Apply a fresh piece of gauze to the infection site after cleaning it. Wrap the gauze with a circular conforming cotton dressing purchased from the drug store. Avoid applying harsh antiseptics such as betadine which may be irritating to the healing tissue.

Perform this wound care process daily. Changing the gauze daily will help to debride the dead superficial tissue from the MRSA skin infection site and allow the area to heal from the bottom up.

Oral antibiotics that have the ability to eliminate the MRSA bacteria will be prescribed. If the infection is severe, it's not unusual to be prescribed two different antibiotics to increase the likelihood of eradicating the stubborn MRSA skin infection.

To reduce the likelihood you're harboring residual MRSA bacteria elsewhere on your body Bactroban ointment is frequently prescribed. This antibiotic ointment is applied beneath the fingernails and in both nostrils with q-tips for 5 to 7 days.

Properly dispose of all dirty dressings and bandages in sealed garbage bags. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water when cleaning the MRSA skin infection site. Wash all contaminated linens and towels in hot water and dry on a high heat setting.

*  Always finish your oral antibiotics.
*  Follow your wound care instructions.
*  Practice good hygiene.

*  Once the MRSA bacteria begins regularly living on your skin you may be susceptible to recurrent boils and abscesses.
*  If your MRSA skin infection does not seem to be healing schedule a follow up appointment with your doctor.